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Self-examination makes us more helpful to others

The Rev. G. Daniel McCall is the minister of pastoral care at Fairview Presbyterian Church in North Augusta.

What do your do when you have a serious misunderstanding with a friend or spouse, a strong difference of opinion that leads to an argument and hard feelings?

Do you just grit your teeth, redouble your efforts and try to power your way over the other person?

That sounds like human nature, doesn’t it? We human beings sometimes tend to be stubborn, hard-headed and determined to be declared right and have our way.

In our minds it often seems obvious that the other person is unreasonable or just plain wrong.

Addressing such situations Jesus once asked, “Why do you see the speck of sawdust that is in your brother’s eye, but pay no attention to the plank that is in your own eye? Or, how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first, take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

I don’t know about you, but I am afraid that I sometimes need to be reminded of Jesus’ words.

I pray that we all may heed his wise counsel!

THE REV. G. DANIEL MCCALL IS THE MINISTER OF PASTORAL CARE AT FAIRVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN NORTH AUGUSTA.